Foldable Housing Antenna Circuit for Overlap-Induced Radiation Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Foldable electronic devices experience degradation in antenna radiation performance when conductive portions of the housing overlap or are adjacent to each other, leading to impaired wireless communication.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a matching circuit and filter circuits between the conductive portions of the housing to prevent degradation by adjusting electrical characteristics and filtering out parasitic resonances, ensuring independent operation of antennas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the first housing and second housing are made of conductive material and used as antenna radiators, then wireless communication function is provided, but radiation performance is degraded when conductive portions overlap or are adjacent in folded state

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless communication functionVSAvoidradiation performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive housing is divided into multiple segments using segmenting portions (slits). This segmentation electrically isolates overlapping conductive portions from different housings, preventing harmful electromagnetic coupling while maintaining the antenna function of each housing portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A matching circuit is introduced as an intermediary component between the wireless communication module and the antenna. This matching circuit includes filtering elements that eliminate parasitic resonances generated by overlapping conductive portions, thereby improving radiation performance while maintaining wireless communication functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conductive portions are separated by segmenting portions to prevent interference, then radiation performance is maintained, but device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation performanceVSAvoidhousing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The segmenting portions are integrated directly into the housing structure itself rather than being separate components. This merging approach creates the electrical isolation needed for maintaining radiation performance while minimizing additional structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, acts as the antenna radiator, and includes integrated segmenting portions for electrical isolation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and minimizes overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If matching circuit and filter circuit are added to eliminate parasitic resonance, then radiation performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation performanceVSAvoidcircuit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The matching circuit and filter circuit are integrated into a single unified circuit structure that is electrically connected between the wireless communication module and the antenna. This integration reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall circuit implementation while maintaining the dual functions of impedance matching and parasitic resonance elimination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively maintains stable antenna radiation performance and efficiency even when conductive portions overlap, enhancing communication capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

a matching circuit disposed between the first conductive portion and the first ground, and a first filter circuit connected to a signal path between the first conductive portion and the matching circuit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Impedance Matching: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 2

a first filter circuit connected to a signal path between the first conductive portion and the matching circuit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Filtering: Filter (electronic)

Data Source

PatentUS20240040020A1Foldable electronic device including antenna

Publication Date: 2024.02.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A foldable electronic device is provided that includes a hinge module, a first housing coupled to a first side of the hinge module, a first printed circuit board disposed inside the first housing and including a first wireless communication module, a processor, and a first ground or a second ground, and a second housing coupled to a second side of the hinge module, in which the first housing includes a first segmenting portion, a second segmenting portion, a first conductive portion, and a second conductive portion, in which the second housing includes a second wireless communication module, a third segmenting portion, a fourth segmenting portion, a third conductive portion, and a fourth conductive portion, and in which a matching circuit is disposed between the first conductive portion and the first ground, and a first filter circuit is connected to a signal path between the first conductive portion and the matching circuit.